Former ECU Pirates' Performance: Transfer Portal Updates and Highlights

BOOK AWAY GAME TRAVEL NOW!
Flights | Hotels | Vacation Rentals | Rental Cars | Experiences

The first five games of the 2025 college football season have been a wild ride for East Carolina University’s (ECU) Pirates. As the team heads into an open date before their matchup with Tulane, it’s a good time to pause and look at not just the current squad, but also the former Pirates who’ve moved on through the transfer portal.

This blog post takes a look at how those ex-ECU players are doing at their new schools. Let’s check in on their performances and what they’ve brought to their new teams so far.

Table of Contents

Offensive Performances from Former Pirates

Plenty of offensive players from ECU have landed at other programs, and some are already making noise. Here’s a closer look at how a handful of them are settling in:

Jake Garcia at Michigan

Jake Garcia, who started for ECU early in the 2024 season, made the move to Michigan. He’s only seen the field in one game, logging six snaps during a blowout win over Central Michigan.

Garcia hasn’t thrown a pass for the Wolverines yet. But he’s backing up Bryce Underwood and has time to develop his game.

Chase Sowell at Iowa State

Chase Sowell’s start at Iowa State has been a bit up and down. He’s caught eight passes on 16 targets for 178 yards across five games.

After a slow start, Sowell broke out against Arizona with four catches for 146 yards. Maybe that’s just the beginning for him with the Cyclones.

Other Notable Offensive Transfers

Bond at Austin Peay: Bond’s been all over the place—running back, safety, punt returner. He’s picked up 18 carries for 145 yards and made some big plays on special teams.
Durant at Campbell: Durant has become a fixture on the Camels’ offensive line, playing nearly every snap and holding his own in pass protection.

Defensive Contributions from Former Pirates

ECU lost some key defenders, but a few of them are already standing out at their new schools:

Mims at North Carolina

Mims has stepped right in as a starting defensive tackle for the Tar Heels. Through four games, he’s put up 10 tackles and five quarterback pressures.

Even with the team’s ups and downs, Mims has held his own on the defensive line.

Brown-Murray at Virginia Tech

Brown-Murray brings steadiness at cornerback for the Hokies. In five starts, he’s made nine tackles and allowed just one touchdown.

He’s shown strong open-field tackling and has been dependable in coverage.

Other Key Defensive Transfers

Barker at SMU: Injuries have limited Barker to just two games, but the Mustangs are hoping to get him back soon.
Gibson at North Carolina: Gibson has started all four games in the secondary, racking up 19 tackles and a pass breakup.
Huff at Georgia State: Huff’s started the last three games at safety, tallying 17 tackles and snagging an interception.

Special Teams and Other Notable Transfers

Special teams and a few other spots have former Pirates making their mark, too:

Larsen at Villanova

Larsen, now in his sixth year of college football, is Villanova’s main punter. He’s averaged 40.5 yards on 19 punts, with a long of 54 yards.

Additional Transfers to Watch

King at Furman: King’s played 185 offensive snaps and has caught 21 passes for 180 yards.
Archer at Akron: Archer’s appeared in five games, started two, and logged 180 offensive snaps.

Looking Ahead

As the season rolls on, it’ll be fascinating to watch how these former Pirates settle in and make a mark with their new squads. The transfer portal really has upended the whole college football scene.

ECU’s former players highlight both the fresh opportunities and the tough spots that come with it. If you want all the nitty-gritty on how these guys are doing, check out the full article on 247Sports.

We’ll keep following their journeys throughout the 2025 season. There’s bound to be more twists and updates ahead.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

Additional Reading: